​Baby, it’s cold outside!Brrrrrr! To some people, that’s pretty much all they can think about as this frosty time of year rolls around. Decked out in three layers of fuzzy garments, nose numb with the biting wind, lungs filled with the shockingly, yet pleasantly refreshing air of Jack Frost’s domain, we, even as “hardy Minnesotans” understand if you might be feeling a tad curmudgeony as temperatures dip far below zero and we settle into our average temperatures of the winter months. However, whether you take delight in nippy climes or not, we here at Spirit Bay are encouraging you to choose JOYthis month and always!

JOYis our chosen theme of the month for December, and there’s a reason: life would be pretty bland, tasteless, and melancholy without it. But instead of just sitting around talking about the merits of JOY, let’s make a conscious effort to look around for it in our everyday lives! Here are some examples:

Last week, on one of the first subzero days of the season, we woke up to no heat in our comfy home… sometimes we panic at these relatively insignificant setbacks, but JOY came shortly thereafter! We were thankful for a quick service call and repair of our ol' boiler system, which led to the warm waves surging through our feet again =JOY! Although, admittedly, receiving our warmth from a roaring, roasting, rollicking fire is JOYful too!

Bitter cold doesn’t just bring shivers and refreshment. It brings beautiful sunrises with fresh sparkling snow coating the trees like a gleaming blanket! In the fall, we waxed poetic about the beauty of the vibrant, dropping leaves. Now, we’re rejoicing about the fluffy snow settling comfortably onto the bare branches. Check out this snapshot from right outside our house…

Photo credit: D.C. Smith

​Or check out this beautiful picture of smoking ice… don’t worry, it hasn’t been set on fire, just reacting to the cold temps! (Yah, like you believed for a split second that ice could be set on fire.)

​How about the ships rolling into our bustling harbor with gargantuan icicles dangling from them? What a sight!

​Gorgeous full moons that light up the night sky…, providing light in a dark, chilly atmosphere.

Photo credit: Paul Pluskwik; Full Moon Glows over the Harbor and the Lights shine bright at Bentleyville and the lift Bridge

All these are tangible, wonderful ways to see JOY all around us in all circumstances and in all places. But sometimes, the most important and impressive of JOYS is the unseen. A heartfelt Christmas story, a random act of kindness, kids of all ages belting out timeless carols and showing youthful JOYby embracing the authentic Christmas spirit, being together with family and friends…

​However, sometimes the Christmas season is hard…sometimes it’s difficult on the pocketbook, the emotions, the body or spirit or whatever it may be for a variety of reasons. Is life always all rosy and wonderful? No. Life certainly isn’t the beautiful gardens of Leif Eriksson Park or the smooth expanse of Lake Superior (to borrow some Duluth examples). Will we have trials and tribulations? The answer shouldn’t come as a surprise. BUT we can choose JOY no matter our situation…it’s a choice. Be unforgiving, moping curmudgeons…or choose to revel in the JOYand peace that transcends all understanding!

​God promises hope to the weary, and while tangible material things can frequently bring us joy for the moment, ultimately, every one of these tangible, material things will fade away. True JOYis knowing the Reason for our hope, love and happiness in a fallen world. True JOYis enjoying the Christmas season for what it is: a celebration of the most profound JOYyou’ve ever known. True JOYis surrendering yourself to the unseen, yet so real thing that is hope and forgiveness. Christmas, in our opinion, is the best time to find all these things. While we do hope you stop in to Spirit Bay for a plethora of wonderful gift-giving ideas (there’s the pitch), our prayer is that you know the true Reason for the season…now and always!But seriously, we really do think you’ll love the wide variety of Northwoods gifts, Native American crafts, and other unique treasures available in our Canal Park retail store, right alongside the icy lake. Stop on in and say hi! OR if the cold has you not wanting to leave the comfort of your own home, check out our ONLINE SHOP! We are continually adding to it. If you don't see what you are looking for, please contact us.MostJOYful Christmas Blessings to you,-Spirit Bay